Brazil Flying Adventure - Azul Airlines A350 + Rio de Janerio

I visited Brazil and flew on the largest plane in AZUL fleet; the A350 from Paris to São Paulo Campinas, then I flew on the smallest plane in the AZUL fleet, a Cessna Grand Caravan to Rio de Janeiro. This vlog is about my flying adventure in Brazil.
My first AZUL Airlines flight left from Paris Orly in the evening hours. The Prime Class lounge in Orly provided some good plane-spotting opportunities. The Brazilian cockpit crew explained the flight route, flight time, and flight level (40,000 ft). We took off with 250 passengers and 245 tons of weight. During the flight, I tried out the Business Class product of AZUL and checked out the meals on offer in Economy Class as well.
After landing, I traveled by car to São Paulo Congonhas Airport in the city to fly on the Cessna Grand Caravan to Rio. It was a fun and scenic flight. Leaving the massive São Paulo city, it didn’t take long for the green rural scenery to appear and it gets better by the minute. We flew around the coastline towards Rio at 9,000 ft, cruising around 145 knots. The flight took about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the distinctive landscape of Rio de Janeiro appeared.
The weather was so great in Rio, seems the whole town is out at the beach. I took the cable car to the Sugar Loaf for some plane spotting at one of the most spectacular airports; Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

[@noahkafuracao1924]

Finalmente o Chui fazendo vídeos no Brasil! Muito bom ver isso

[@AksoAmaral]

agora a gente precisa de um youtuber chamado Oiapoque, e zeramo a vida man kkkkk

[@fabiomacedo1681]

@@AksoAmaral Boa. Vou criar o canal Sam Oiapoque kkkkkkk

[@cwd4660]

@@AksoAmaral kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk o MC Kevin achou muito boa a sua sacada!

[@busologiavirtual6695]

kkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@adrielziemann]

​@@AksoAmaralskkskskksksksksksks

[@AIDEN_505]

As a French I appreciate the respect of pilot and ground worker❤

[@vitorquintao]

Amazing images!! Congratulations! Nice to see the landing on Jacarepagua airport, beautiful landscape! On the minute 17:50 it was the Brazilian presidential airplane, not so usual to see! Great spot!

[@unknown666besta]

o lulinha 13 tava naquele avião xD

[@r.f.9872]

They opened Jacarepaguá airport for commercial flights now? Used to be only private planes

[@douglasriibeiro25]

Cara deu uma sorte da porra e nem se deu conta kkkk

[@adrianolira4262]

@@r.f.9872 yes, they did. it's an useful airport for people from the west side of rio - santos dumont and galeão are far away from it

[@enzonavarro8550]

Deve ter sido algum dos ministros do Lula indo viajar no Rio

[@j-michelr2866]

I'm a belgian citizen but lived in Brazil many years. I still fly regularly to Rio and Uberaba (with Azul) to visit my family. I used to work for KLM (ground staff ) between 1979 and 1985 in Rio de Janeiro (GIG). On Tuesday (KL793) & Wednesday (KL794) we flew to Viracopos airport in Campinas with a DC10/30. Lots of nice souvenirs and remembering the nice Viracopos KLM staff. Thank you for the video and greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪.

[@leandrobragasp]

I live in Brazil and went nine times last year to Belgium with Azul (as a flight mechanic) Amazing place.

[@j-michelr2866]

@@leandrobragasp hello. Yes it is a beautiful country I live in Malines. Morei 20 anos no Brasil. Minas, São Paulo e Rio.

[@tonyjgcoelho]

This was my first flight. KL794, January 73. GIG-LIS-AMS. Was a DC-8.

[@j-michelr2866]

@@tonyjgcoelho the DC8/63...great aircraft. I attended as a ground staff catering supervisor the last flights operated in Rio. May or June 1979. Then the DC10 came to replace it. But grounded several weeks after the DC10 crash in Chicago. They sent back the DC8 for a while.

[@OctavioBerca-n3r]

My First was Sr 144 swissair VCP / gva in 9 /23 /75 Dc8 São Paulo / Rio / Dakar / geneva.

[@neuberndesenvolvimentoprof4604]

The flight between SP and Rio on the Cesna Caravan is probably one of the most beautiful flights in Brazil. The aircraft flies over the beautiful Serra do Mar and coastline. Realy Beautiful! ❤

[@frankpoulsen8416]

I absolutely loved the communication between the ground crew and the captain. Made me quite emotional actually.

[@OPTIC23100]

Engineers on the ramp right?

[@atveriss]

What a great video! Awesome to see you here in Brazil 💙 PS: the Caravan pilot jokes about not having bathroom onboard because little while ago a passenger had a nature call inflight and lost the battle. 😅

[@donilshijagurumayum3582]

The landing views in Rio is just marvellous

[@kwladner]

As a brazilian, I'm so proud of you coming here and showing this wonderful which Rio is and particularly Santos Dumont airport! That view of Santos Dumont from Sugar Loaf is just stonning for those who love aviation! And I was worried you wouldn't mind taking the adventure of taking of from Santos Dumont but my mistake as the trailher show off at the end of this video. Hope you come back many more times.

[@kovy689]

How’s the crime there?

[@kwladner]

@@kovy689 I don’t live in Rio but I guess all the tourist’s area in Rio are way safer than San Francisco for instance!

[@kovy689]

@@kwladner yea, Soros DAs are annoying.

[@evandroguimaraes4918]

@@kovy689 How stupid comment

[@lj5632]

"As a brazilian, I'm so proud " sabia que ia aparecer.

[@SnakeCOBR]

Meu amigo Demétrio, no comando do voo da conecta pro Jacarepaguá, um sujeito simpático sangue bom! não tem igual! feliz de vê-lo voando.

[@jenn4985]

I posted a comment on this video and I mentioned how hilarious and funny that pilot is, what a beautiful energy he carries!

[@SnakeCOBR]

​@@jenn4985 Ele é uma comédia em pessoa, tem uma energia e empatia contagiante, e um coração de bondade imensurável, grande amigo! He is a comedy personified, he has contagious energy and empathy, and a heart of immeasurable kindness, a great friend!

[@benjaminjoseph8487]

Wow what a gorgeous coastline. Still can’t believe how many people live in these big cities. Loved the plane spotting that you did, probably the best view I have seen so far.

[@v1n1c1u55anto5]

São Paulo 23 million, Rio 14 million.

[@Quelemem]

O comandante do Caravan fala inglês tão bem quanto eu falo. "The book is on the table". Muito simpático. Bons voos.

[@sonorastar2239]

A ideia do Caravan é ligar cidades do interior. Raramente terá um estrangeiro a bordo. Por isso a Azul deve exigir desses pilotos só um inglês bem básico.

[@anearangies2969]

LOVED the footage of landings in Rio, fantastic! 🎉

[@jerryconnors8663]

Great video on Azul! Having worked for Braniff back in late ‘70s, made several trips into Rio and as an avid planespotter made my way over to inspect Santos Dumont. Then hoped the cable car up to the top of Sugarloaf Mtn. Not only for the spectacular views of Rio but of course aircraft…Varig Electras on takeoff out of Santos Dumont making climbing right hand turns heading to Sao Paulo on the Brazilian Air Bridge. Lots of aviation memories ✈️ 😎

[@viniciusmagnoni6492]

That's Right, the Golden Years...

[@rafaelvieira3315]

A Varig was the star of Brazil in a comparison it was as if it were the PanAm of the United States!

[@SamChui]

Indeed, Varig is Pan am of Brazil. In some ways, the blue belly of Azul resembles the Varig last livery. I met many senior pilots who flew with Varig now flying at Azul.

[@rafaelvieira3315]

@@SamChui Azul carries on Varig's legacy as the best airline in Brazil 😁

[@IndonesiaMajapahitNDPCA]

​@@SamChuiyou're very lucky to be onboard an Azul A350! Those things are getting retired next month! 😢

[@CMDT79]

Here in Brazil they say that Azul is the new Varig, because Azul is very good, I really like Azul.@@SamChui

[@glauberliberato5244]

@@IndonesiaMajapahitNDPCA they just decided to keep them after negotiations with the leasor and they are going to add one

[@paulogustavopi]

17:39 Beautiful video! I wasn’t aware of this Cessna flight option between SP and Rio. You were even lucky to catch the landing of a presidential plane at Santos Dumont (17:39). Notice the official emblem on the tail and the green and yellow stripes on the fuselage.

[@teazerfemi]

Thanks fantastic Sam Chui, you are really a gem, my sincere regards to all Brazilians, Sam Chui we love you so much here in Nigeria

[@JackTaylor-p8u]

LOVED the footage of landings in Rio, fantastic! . The landing views in Rio is just marvellous.

[@MarechalAviador]

Azul's flight attendants are the best.

I traveled once at Azul between Campinas and Rio de Janeiro, whose landing was in Santos Dumont Airport in the evening 12 years ago. Amazing flight.

[@luizwanderley4845]

Hi Sam!! I have been following you for over 5 years. I am very happy to see you in Brasil. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. I am a retired Brazilian Air Force pilot, now flying for Azul Airline.

[@danieldmg]

Congratulations on the report. Despite the problems, Brazil is a great country, and its aviation will still grow a lot! Quality presentations like yours help us leverage this perspective.

[@flightfernando]

Brazil is free! Dictatorship times fall in 22.

[@edoar7202]

Name one country that doesn't have it's problems, it sure isn't the U.S!

[@latitude23S]

Despite the problems? Mention one single nation that have not a lot of problems. Brazilians need to open their minds and stop crying so loud.

[@danieldmg]

@@latitude23S All countries have their problems. Regarding this video, Brazilian aviation has high taxes on fuel, a framework of laws that is improving a lot, but is still not fluid, political and legal insecurities that prevent solid investments, and monopolies that are difficult to break. Therefore I do not agree with your position that we have to “open our minds”. We have them open, and we have to continue fighting for the interests of each sector. If this were not the case, for example, we would have approved the ban on the crop spraying throughout the country, as was suggested, and, of course, the firm positioning of the sectors involved prevented this barbarity. So yes, we have to keep ‘crying so loud’.

[@chrishowe2935]

So cool that you were able to talk to the flight crew and film in the cockpit.

[@canalphl]

Brasileiros enaltecendo os brazas. Incrível. The sky is Azul!!!!!

[@Isnardcsn]

I am from Recife but live in Boston. What you said about the northern cities connecting to Europe/USA was very accurate. Things got better when Azul introduced the daily flight to Florida from Recife on top of the daily flights to Lisbon, but still very hard and expensive to fly out from the north/northeast of Brazil.

[@papi8659]

Latham is turning Recife into a hub with the new AA321lR so connections will improve in a few years hopefully

[@viniciuscilla]

Ele também não sabia do fato de vocês serem as capitais mais pobres do Brasil. Daqui a pouco Ribeirão Preto já vai ter vôos frequentes pra Europa e o Recife não

[@Isnardcsn]

@@viniciuscilla Recife tem voos diários para Lisboa há mais de 50 anos. Tenta se informar um pouco antes de bostejar na internet, fica feio assim.

[@viniciuscilla]

@@Isnardcsn só pra Lisboa? Só pra uma cidade? E pra Lisboa? O espírito de colônia nunca passa mesmo aí em cima né? Vão a merda. É culpa exclusivamente de vocês serem pobres e não terem vôos pra lugares decentes pelo mundo

[@viniciuscilla]

@@Isnardcsn fica ofendido de ouvir a verdade? Recife é miserável! Resolvam os problemas medievais de vocês antes de quererem dar pitaco até na aviação. Quando não tiver mais 15% de analfabetos aí a gente conversa

[@atveriss]

Interesting fact: Varig (mainly) and VASP were known for having one of the best mechanic crews worldwide.

[@Gabriel.Bonfim]

Wow, that's very interesting! I'm studying to become a mechanic.

[@Jamie-Fox]

Thanks Sam. The landings in Rio remembers me of Kai Tak . It is just amazing and I feel really sentimental right now😢. Nice to see some airports keep this great landing approaches alive.

[@supermarioso8]

What a pleasure to see you come to my home country 🇧🇷 You are always welcome here! Santos Dumont Airport views are always legendary!

[@jamessmith1652]

Although different I got vibes of Kai Tak from the jungles, beaches and short run bank hard landing. Brazil looks incredible! Love how you took the cable car to go planespotting!

[@viniciusmagnoni6492]

The Landing Route on Santos Dumont is more similar to Kai Tak, but Tom Jobim itself is more similar to Kai Tak as an airport.

[@TeunLos]

Sam, that moment at 16:52 where that last plane touched down in sync with touch of the piano chord. Amazing! Dont want to write a book but what an amazing video you uploaded this time. A review, with a bit of vlogging and then some planespotting to finish it off, all edited with style. Beautiful!

[@guga28]

Our country is amazing #thesouthamericangiant 😍🇧🇷

[@RobertoRMOLA]

Hey, Polly! Comissária líder, bem na entrada! Que bom te ver de novo!

[@DBLARRY999]

Thank you Sam for your video to take us to see the World.

[@willianshie9699]

So awesome you finally did Brasil! As a Brazilian couldn’t be any prouder 😊 Fun fact for you… since you loved so much Varig’s MD-11 back then, in the 80’s Varig used to fly in exclusively with the Lockheed Electra into Santos Dumont airport. It was an unforgettable experience whoever had the privilege to fly this route between Congonhas into Santos Dumont 😉 hope you came back again and tour São Paulo!

[@nielsonbarros8175]

Aeroporto mais lindo do mundo ❤✈️

[@kenny9088]

wow truly breath taking views. Thanks Sam awesome video.

[@gustavoreis4076]

BÃO DE MAIS!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!! ✈

[@MarechalAviador]

As an BR I am so proud watching a video of yours about my country. Thank you.

[@PJWey]

Varig MD-11 for the win! Loved listening the the engines roar and the exciting landings

[@andresilvs1739]

Terrific! My Brazil is beautiful, welcome Sam Chui🎉

[@kestrelbicycle]

A great video especially with views from Pao de Acucar! You should video from Corcovado, which is a much higher altitude. In 1971 I watched the Air France Concorde fly around Rio's Guanabara Bay and then blast off for Sao Paulo. It was spectacular.

[@kestrelbicycle]

Yes, 1971. I was in Peace Corps from 1970 to 72. and was on vacation. My stint was in Itacoatiara, Amazonas and took buses to various cities in the South of Brazil. On top of Corcovado I met a French photo journalist who told me the Concorde would flying in Rio's Guanabara Bay. A great day I will never forget.

[@abdulkadiralimohamud8994]

This is the most beautiful video you have ever made! Thank you mr Sam

[@FreeFlyer89]

Awesome video Sam and Brazil is absolutely beautiful.

[@cclg]

Chui, the last plane you have captured landing on SDU was simply the Presidential Aircraft, the "brazilian Air Force One".

[@lyndonmurray3669]

Wow Sam those were some spectacular footage of these airplanes making a left turn in order to land on these very short runways.

[@LULEKOSO]

O Santos Dumont realmente é como se fosse um porta aviões fundeado na Baia de Guanabara. Lindo demais.

[@newmankidman5763]

@LULEKOSO, num sentido é um porta aviões porque a Terra está girando :)

[@BielTraveler]

I loved. My country, Brazil, is very beautiful. Congratulation. Come back.

[@AF_CSL]

The most beautiful city in the world!

[@ryori4176]

Hi Sam you are the world's greatest AV enthusiast. In fact, even the relief captain was overwhelmed by your knowledge of Brazalian aviation history. Cheers Sam,

[@stephentann358]

Hey Sam this video was most enjoyable to watch thank you. The transfer to Rio was interesting & of course the footage from the top of table mountain. Boy that is a short runway. Thanks once again Stephen tann

[@kayowictor3653]

Meu Brasil 🇧🇷😍

[@viajandoporgdias]

Glad to see you in my hometown! Even here at RRJ (Jacarepagua Airport) 5min drive from my place! Come again soon, we are true avgeeks over here!

[@walt8089]

Beautiful video Sam. Thanks for taking us along !

[@محمدلؤي-م3ع]

The vieo from the mountain to the airport is beautiful The majestic view of planes Landing from the air is also a Cinematic view. 🙂👌🏻thanks

[@ppolak9]

Welcome to Brazil!! And you even got lucky spotting presidential A319 @ 17:40

[@mmm0404]

Those landings are just breathtaking.👌👌🤌🤌

[@PAntunes123]

Amazing to see you here in Brazil Sam. Hope you really enjoy your time and come back more frequently! Cheers!

[@viniciosns]

You got the Presidential airplane landing in SDU! Welcome to Brasil! Hope you enjoy your stay

[@alexandreborgesdemagalhaes4406]

Hi Sam. I´m from Rio, always use SDU. I´ve been in many airports around the world, but still think the most amazing landind and take off is from Santos Dumont. Congrats and thanks for this video.

[@brunoribeiro3378]

You just got the presidential airplane approaching SDU. Just collaboration: Congonhas is the most busy airport in Brazil - almost one takeoff and landing per minute. And people at North and Northeast area can flight to Europe and US by TAP, Air France, United, AA and other via Salvador, Fortaleza, Manaus and Recife. Have a pleasant time in our country! Congrats @azul for this too.

[@fabiomacedo1681]

United voa para Salvador, Recife e Fortaleza??????????????

[@bobloblaw8069]

De Belém também sai voo direto pra Europa, Eua e outros países

[@edoar7202]

Separação minima em CGO é de 3 minutos, não. pode haver operação simultânea entre a duas pistas, não há distancia mínima necessária!

[@blitodavies_]

Grarulhos is the busiest airport!!

[@fabianoarcher575]

Finally in Brazil! Hope you have enjoyed all the moments here!

[@josecavalcanti0912]

Ahh it was about time, Sam ! ❤❤ Azul has undoubtedly the best crew of our country,l 😊

[@evelynvfn]

I am brazilian, and landing in Santos Dumont was the most breath taking landing ever, amazing

[@lucianosds]

Hi Sam! You get amazing pictures of the landings and departures of Santos Dumont Airport (IATA: SDU / ICAO: SBRJ). They look like the aproach of old Kay Tak, but with small airplanes. And the Santos Dummont has a hell of a view when you are inside the aircraft, is just amazing. I just love take a fly to Sao Paulo or Curitiba at Sunset, with the Christ, the Redeemer at right side... is amazing!

[@denisedonnelly5782]

Fabulous video Sam love those landings great scenery thank you for bringing us along on your adventures 🙏😘✈️✈️✈️

[@jenn4985]

One of the most beautiful videos you have ever created! Rio is just amazing. I found that Caravans pilot to be so funny! Great job Sam!

[@marco1-csgo]

Finally an international video covering the best brazilian airline

[@davidsolis6691]

Another GREAT VIDEO Sam!! Really enjoy TRAVELLING with YOU! We see and experience the world through your experiences! Please keep making more of these types of videos! Thanks so much Sam!!

[@franklinsternberg4528]

Finally, you made it! Traveling to Brazil! I always wonder why it takes so long for AvGeeks European & American KZbinrs to come and review South & Central American airliners! Welcome!

[@brandrenet]

I have always loved your videos and now I can say as a Brazilian: what a pleasure to travel with you to Southeastern Brazil by watching this video!

[@CIPRIANOALAN]

Hi Sam, my Like from Brazil! Azul is the most loved airline in Brazil!

[@abbasobaidi2555]

thank you Sam for your great videos , we really appreciate your efforts

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

12:28 the no longer exist of Tam Airlines building after 16 years ago, an Airbus A320 overrun runway 35L at Congonhas Airport after touching down when pilot error cause the death of 199 people. 14:56 yes that's right, Sam. The famous extreme Santos Dumont Airport. 17:38 it is a presidential aircraft.

[@samethingsmakeuslaughmakeuscry]

I am happy to see you flying Azul. It's by far the best Brazilian airline, perhaps the best in South America. I took this exact flight in the beginning of the year. I was on economy class but I still enjoyed it. Also, in my humble opinion, I really like Orly, I find it much less chaotic than CDG

[@chiang_paul]

Thank you for sharing this video with us ❤

[@_Mercy101]

Big respect and love to those pilotes 💯🙏🏾

[@ASRH806]

Seja bem vindo ao Brasil Sr Sam !

[@thawansantiago4117]

Amazing video as always Sam! Finally you tried to fly Azul Brazilian Airlines! In my opinion, they're the nicest airline to fly in Brazil/S. America! I think the Airbus A350 will not be returned according to a news I read this week! They're also known for operating brand new planes in their fleet, like the Embraer E2 195, Airbus A320neo family, Airbus A330neo and actually the new Airbus A350 XWB! 🇧🇷✈️💙

[@BRTripReport]

Hope you had a great time in Brazil Sam! 🇧🇷✈

[@mohittolani3619]

I will really visit this place once in my life time , it is so awesome!!!

[@bilare13]

Welcome

[@lisandrasilva3084]

The inventor of the plane 🇧🇷

[@VoyageVisionary]

Hi Sam, As a Av geek myself, this is by far one of the best videos in youtube.

[@ianbaptista4382]

Im a big fan of Sam Chuí and im só happy that he came tô Brazil and came tio rio ,thank you só mucho Sam you made my dream come true

[@josemariadacostacoelhofilh3083]

Beautiful video. Best landing at SDU was not from LATAM, GOL or AZUL, all of them did the touchdown close, at, or even a little beyond the “1.000 feet” marking. Best was Brazilian AF VC-1 (A-319), that was 100% at the aiming point, the “500 feet” marking.

[@anapaulatillman.6133]

This brings back memories. Never flown into Campinas, but my daughter filmed a commercial for Azul there once. Flown out of Congonhas just before the horrible TAM accident there in 2007, and remembered thinking "someone's going to die here, this is insane." As for Santos Dumont, I remember flying out of there one time, and actually seeing a wing hanging over the water, like we were on an aircraft carrier. I'll say this for Brazil, it's never boring!

[@lawrenceakini9507]

Obrigado for this vlog. Have an amazing day/weekend.

[@elmocorrea6880]

Caramba, nem sabia que Jacarepaguá tinha aeroporto!😊

[@cclg]

Fica na Barra da Tijuca, atrás do Aerotown.

[@leorabelo3209]

A Azul usa o Cessan Caravan jpa-cgh

[@bisfal]

eu tbm não só ouvia falar base aérea de santa cruz

[@TraderVlog]

Good to see you going to Brazil. Welcome!

[@joaocouto1073]

Thank you Sam Chui for showing my country! Love your Chanel, love Brazil 🇧🇷!

[@vitorsanfins4440]

Love , from Brasil

[@LuizHenrique730]

glad you're visiting! you're always welcome here 🇧🇷

[@richardbranco7775]

Bem vindo! Welcome! I am a former VARIG employee! Oh I miss those MD 11 - GRU - LAX

[@evandro_adeol]

Having rode any "MAD DOG 11" from Varig in the 90's... Captain you own respect!!!

[@CarlosLins1]

Landing and taking off on Santos Dummont is one of the most beautiful scenerios i've ever seen

[@novowalace]

I loved to see you in Brazil!!!

[@zoo114]

I just wanted to thank you Sam for the few seconds that you gave me to take a picture at this year’s Paris air show while you were in a hurry getting out of the Qatar airways A319 it was already an amazing day and with you it has gotten even better

[@fulano100nocao]

It's so good to see you here in Brazil. Welcome back!!!

[@ASRH806]

Excelente trabalho de divulgação

[@livinginhell100]

Azul is nowadays one of my favorites in Brazil... I am so old (☺), I've been on Varig ( the GRU->FRA flight was a route I took every four weeks for 3 years), VASP (in Congonhas you can still see their old hangar) and Tam ( they gave you pinafores during mealtime, so not to spill your shirt).... and then there is Congonhas, apart from the Marine Air Terminal in La Guardia maybe the most beautiful airport terminal still to be around...and Santos Dumont? It is sensational to fly in and out and it is equally sensational to watch the planes take off and land from Pao de Acucar....what can I say? Absolutely nothing compares to Brazil, no?

[@EpicThe112]

Was that when Varig was a member of Star Alliance. If yes then Varig can offer you GRU-FRA-DMK-MNL the Frankfurt to Manila segment is on Thai Airways via DMK🇹🇭. Knew that because my father is TG Star Alliance gold

[@caiobraz]

Hey Sam, so good to see you flying a Brazilian airline. Just adding to the conversation, Azul has also some flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando (Brazilians love Florida for many reasons) departing from Recife, so it's a gateway to North America - and like you said TAP flies from many different cities like Salvador, Fortaleza, Belém, Maceio, Recife. Totally agree with you in the inconvenience of flying all the way South to go back North, it's just so bad. Air France also flies non-stop from Fortaleza to Paris.